Amercian Diet Deemed Too Cheesy

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Americans love cheese, but their hearts don't love them for it, according to a new report from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). The group is urging consumers to use light cheeses and a light touch when layering the dairy product on their favorite dishes.

Recent research has exposed cheese as the top source of artery-clogging saturated fat in Americans' diets, according to the CSPI, a nonprofit, health-advocacy group based in Washington, DC. With cheese popping up in everything from salads to burgers--and even inside of pizza crusts--it poses more of a threat to waistlines and heart health than beef or butter do, the CSPI contends.

In fact, the group reports, the US Department of Agriculture has found that the average American downs 30 pounds of cheese in a year. That is up from 11 pounds in 1970.

Of course, cheese has a wholesome side, being a good source of calcium and protein. But since one ounce of full-fat cheese can carry much of a day's allowance for saturated fat, the CSPI is calling for Americans to replace fatty cheeses with part-skim and low-fat varieties--and to occasionally take their Quarter Pounders without cheese.

Other recommendations include ordering pizzas with half the usual amount of cheese and avoiding stuffed-crust pizzas altogether, and using grated Parmesan or Romano cheeses since they pack a high amount of flavor in a small serving.

Reference Source 89

For more information on how to prevent obesity or diabetes, use
PreventDisease.com's "Quick Prevention Resources".